Officials: Putin and Obama to meet next week in Australia

US President Barack Obama plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week, during a stop on his three-country tour in the Asia-Pacific region, senior administration officials quoted by Fox News said.

The president plans to speak with Putin on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Brisbane, Australia. At this point, it is not expected to be a formal “bilateral” meeting but they are planning to meet and cover several big topics including Ukraine.

Obama’s itinerary will take him to China, Burma, and then Australia. While there, Obama is expected to focus on the global economy and U.S. policy toward the Asia-Pacific region.

The itinerary includes a state visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. While in China, Obama will attend the APEC Leaders Meeting and the APEC CEO Summit.

In Burma, Obama will attend the East Asia Summit and the U.S.-ASEAN Summit in the remote capital Naypyidaw and meet with President Thein Sein. In the main city of Yangon, Obama is scheduled to meet with opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.

Finally, in Brisbane, Australia, Obama will participate in the Group of 20 Leaders Summit. He’ll also deliver a speech on U.S. leadership in the Asia-Pacific.